"A Russian anti-terrorist organization of a federal level that would be subordinate directly to the president should be established today to offer an effective rebuff to terrorism," Mr. Umarov who heads the Federation Council committee on legal and judiciary issues told a news conference in RIA Novosti on Tuesday.
Mr. Umarov said such an organization would allow to concentrate on anti-terrorist activities alone as available anti-terrorist bodies often had to address problems unrelated to terrorism.
However, the senator acknowledged that the available anti-terrorism bodies were doing a great job.
Mr. Umarov emphasized that terrorism was the evil without a specific ethnic origin. "Terrorism did not originate in Chechnya. It emerged from international terrorism," said Mr. Umarov.
The senator believes a new Chechen president will hopefully carry on the policy that was pursued by President Akhmad Kadyrov (who was killed in the May 9 terrorist attack in Grozny). Mr. Umarov noted the late president's contribution to restoring population's trust in the government.
"Akhmad hadji Kadyrov had done a lot and a new president must continue pursuing his policy. People will restore their trust in the government when they see that compensations for lost housing are paid, that authorities meet with ordinary people and heed their wishes, that cinemas and hospitals are rebuilt," said Mr. Umarov.
Mr. Umarov emphasized that the Chechen authorities were in full control of the situation in the republic. "Life has returned to normal in the republic. It has its government, courts and law enforcement agencies working, and they are doing the utmost to ensure order and the rule of law," said Mr. Umarov. Tranquility and quiet are what the Chechen people need now. "Let us live a quiet life for a year and we will revive the economy, rebuild housing and production facilities," said Mr. Umarov.
When asked about the possibility of militant attacks in the near future and republican law enforcement agencies' readiness to rebuff them, Mr. Umarov said - "Chechnya is strong enough today for militants to refrain from attacks. And if they venture an attack, they will encounter a crushing rebuff."
